Deadlocked BOE Votes To Keep Ridgefield Park Superintendent

Superintendent Eric Koenig looks on as Board of Education President Edmund DeSantis responds to criticisms of the board.Photo Credit: Arthur AugustynThe meeting stretched on for over three hours with many public comments expressing both support and criticism for Koenig's contributions to the district.Photo Credit: Arthur AugustynDespite the contentious vote, the crowd responded to with a standing ovation after hearing Koenig would stay as the district's Superintendent.Photo Credit: Arthur Augustyn

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RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — Cheers erupted in the Ridgefield Park High School cafeteria Wednesday night after a deadlocked Board of Education vote ensured that Schools Supt. Eric Koenig would keep his job, at least for now.

The board called an emergency meeting to discuss financial problems plaguing the district -- and to vote on suspending Koenig.

It ended 5-5.

The school district has seen financial and performance difficulties the past few years -- and operated at a deficit for roughly eight.

Parents, teachers and community members shared criticism and praise for the embattled superintendent and the board. The scheduled vote, however, drew support for keeping Koenig.

"Eric is good for our district," village resident Shirley O'Brien said. "We may not have been moving forward the way people wanted us to move forward, but he walked into a mess.

"I think we’ll look back and be shocked that we discussed removing Mr. Koenig," said Bobby Lee, the All Schools Special Needs founder.

Difficult decisions like ahead.

"There are jobs that are going to be eliminated," Koenig said after the vote.